Ohio voters approve 45 - 12 percent of the job Gov. Ted Strickland is doing in his first
days in office, but 43 percent remain undecided, according to a Quinnipiac University poll
released today.

By a 70 - 2 percent margin, voters support spending more money on schools in
poorer communities, but have mixed feelings about some aspects of a proposed
constitutional amendment to do just that, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack)
University poll finds.

Voters support 65 - 27 percent a constitutional amendment aimed at increasing
spending for poorer schools. But the fact that the proposed amendment does not specify
where the money comes from makes 53 percent of voters less likely to support, with 10
percent more likely and 31 percent who say this does not affect their support.
And voters split 47 - 47 percent on whether they support a state tax hike to raise
money for poor school districts. Democrats support a tax hike 53 - 39 percent while
Republicans oppose it 55 - 40 percent and independent voters oppose it 50 - 45 percent.
"Most Ohio voters want to spend more state money on poorer schools, but when
you ask people if they want to pay more to do it, there is much less enthusiasm," said
Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Moreover, if the state's worsening overall budget situation requires sacrifice, Ohio
voters would, by a 51 - 34 percent margin, rather see state services cut than taxes raised,
although Democrats are evenly split on that question.

By a 60 - 31 percent margin, Ohio voters support Strickland's decision to delay
three executions while he reviews the cases. White evangelical Christians support the
delay 56 - 36 percent and Republicans back it by a narrow 49 - 45 percent margin.

But voters support 48 - 38 percent the death penalty rather than life without parole
for convicted murderers.

"Strickland is getting good grades from voters so far, although he has not yet
tackled the tough questions facing Ohio. Many voters have not yet formed an opinion of
him, but among those who have, he benefits by comparison with former Gov. Robert Taft
and is doing very well," Brown said.

On the proposed constitutional amendment, voters support 64 - 27 percent a
provision that would create a special commission made up at least in part by those who
have worked in the schools that would take from the Legislature and governor the power
to decide how much money should be spent on the schools.

"At first blush voters like the idea of a constitutional amendment that would
increase funding for poorer schools, and it won't make the politicians very happy that they
like the idea of taking funding decisions away from the governor and legislature," said
Brown. "But there are some aspects of the proposal that voters find very troubling and its
supporters will need to address those questions."

From January 23 - 28, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,305 Ohio voters, with a
margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut,
Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and click on Institutes and Centers, or call (203) 582-5201.

31. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling his job
as Governor?

47. The proposed constitutional amendment to increase spending on poorer schools
in Ohio does not specify how the state should pay for any additional funds needed.
Does that make you more likely to support such a plan, less likely, or doesn't it
affect your view of the proposal?

49. Under the proposed constitutional amendment, public schools, higher education
and local government programs would always be funded first, meaning that in cases
of shortages, funding to other state programs, such as health care, law enforcement,
or social services would be cut back. Does that make you more likely to support
such a plan, less likely, or doesn't it affect your view of the proposal?

50. Currently the governor and state legislature decide school funding levels
for Ohio public schools. Do you think a special commission that includes members
who have worked in the schools should be appointed to make funding decisions for
Ohio's public schools or should the governor and legislature continue to do that?

51. Governor Strickland has postponed three upcoming executions of death row
inmates saying that he wants to review each case before going forward with
execution. Do you support or oppose Strickland's decision to postpone these
executions?

54. As you may know Governor Strickland says the state is in worse financial
condition than he expected when he took office. If it turns out there is a
shortage of state funds, would you prefer -- raising taxes to keep state services
at their current level or cutting state services to keep taxes at their current
level?